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general definition

gen·eral (jen′ər əl, jen′rəl)

adjective

  1. of, for, or from the whole or all; not particular or local a general anesthetic, the general welfare
  2. of, for, or applying to a whole genus, kind, class, order, or race the general classifications of matter
  3. existing or occurring extensively; common; widespread a general unrest
  4. most common; usual the general spelling of a word
  5. concerned with the main or overall features; lacking in details; not specific the general features of a plan
  6. not precise; vague to speak in general terms
  7. senior or highest in rank an attorney general
  8. not connected with or limited to one branch or department of learning, business, etc.; not specialized a general store

Etymology: ME < OFr < L generalis < genus (gen. generis), kind, class: see genus

noun

  1. the main or overall fact, condition, idea, etc.
  2. the head of some religious orders
  3. Archaic the public; populace
    1. any of various military officers ranking above a colonel; specif., U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force such an officer, with an insignia of four stars, ranking above a lieutenant general
    2. U.S. Marine Corps an officer of the highest rank
  5. an anesthetic that makes a patient unconscious
    in full general anesthetic
general Idioms

in general

  1. in the main; usually
  2. without specific details
  3. with reference to all spoken of

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms general idiom

medical general definition - medical

general Synonyms

general

modif.

  1. Having wide application

    comprehensive, widespread, universal, overall, sweeping, extensive, ecumenical, all-embracing, ubiquitous, unconfined, broad, generic, generalized, across-the-board, taken as a whole, not partial, not particular, not specific, blanket, inclusive, all-inclusive, catholic, wide, worldwide, endless, far-reaching, global, ample.

    Antonyms particular*, special*, limited. *

  2. Of common occurrence

    common, usual, customary, prevailing; see common 1.

  3. Not specific or precise

    indefinite, inexact, imprecise; see obscure 1, vague 2.

in general

generally, usually, in the main, as a whole; see customarily, frequently, regularly 1. See syn. study at common, universal.


general

n.

commanding officer, general officer, brigadier general, major general, lieutenant general, general of the army, general of the air force; see also officer 3.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

general Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • name: President Bush has named assistant attorney general and former appeals court judge Michael Chertoff as Ridge's successor, subject to Senate confirmation.

Adjective modifier

  • assistant: President Bush has named assistant attorney general and former appeals court judge Michael Chertoff as Ridge's successor, subject to Senate confirmation.

Modifies a noun

  • election: We have started to work toward victory in the next general election.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: And then the conversation became general for a short time and we went home.

Noun used with modifier

  • attorney: US states elect their attorney generals, who have party affiliations.

Modifying Another Word

  • sufficiently: Tho adopted without a vote, the resolution is attracts some reservations, but the language is sufficiently general not to attract direct opposition.

Preposition: in

  • nature: These Croatian courses are more general in nature and are targeted at students with a whole range of different needs.
general usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

general quotes

A man should have dinner with his friends, and the commanding general has no friends.

-LeMay, Curtis Emerson

The dramatic critic who is without prejudice is on the plane with the general who does not believe in taking human life.

-Nathan, GeorgeJean

In a civil war, a general must knowöand I'm afraid it's a thing rather of instinct than of practiceöhe must know exactly when to move over to the other side.

-Reed, Henry

general quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"general." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/general>

APA Style

general. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/general

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